A few years ago, the news reported the story of a flight attendant who was harassed by passengers. When the plane arrived at JFK, he announced, with profane language, his disgust for those who had been so difficult. He then opened the door of the plane, deploying the emergency chute, slid down and walked off. What a dramatic way to quit! He was fined $10,000 and banned from the industry.

Ever been so fed up you just wanted to quit?

The story of William Wilberforce inspires me in those kinds of moments. For twenty-six long years he brought up the same subject in Parliament.
*His colleagues mocked him, accusing him of losing his common sense to religious fervor.
*The business establishment threatened that his idealism would destroy the economy.

Stress took a toll on his health, and he aged far beyond his years because of carrying on what many people at the time believed to be a fool’s crusade. But William Wilberforce would not quit!

Using wit and wisdom, he turned the issue of slave trade into the talk of England. Finally in 1807, this great Christian succeeded in getting the House of Commons to vote to end slave trade. The Crown agreed and a vile practice came to an end. This wealthy man, first elected to Parliament at age 21, was tempted many times to abandon his political career, at one point even considering becoming a clergyman, but, urged by his friends, he did not quit the fight and his persistence changed history!

Times come to us all when life’s difficulties turn into monsters. In those moments it may seem that quitting is the only option. When we’re taking a beating, it may seem only reasonable to throw in the towel and end the match. “How much more can I take before I break?” we think to ourselves.

In Genesis we read the story of Joseph who must have wondered if he would break under pressure any time before his God-given dreams were fulfilled.
*His brothers sold him into slavery, motivated less by greed than hatred.
*The wife of his owner, Potiphar, tried to seduce him and when he resisted her, falsely accused him of rape, leading to a long prison sentence!
*A man he befriended and helped in prison was released and promptly forgot all about him.

But he kept his dreams and his faith in God. He refused to become a bitter cynic. When given the ‘perfect’ opportunity to settle the score, he forgave those who hurt him the most. And, after years of disappointment, he saw God’s promises fulfilled as he provided safety for his people.

In years of pastoral ministry, I have watched so many wrestle with hardship, becoming disappointed with God, and choosing to just ‘walk away’ from faith. Others find themselves in a church setting that has turned unpleasant and they choose to abandon fellowship, claiming a newly ‘privatized’ faith, ignoring God’s call into His Church.

The Bible urges disciples to keep their faith. “So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” (Hebrews 10:35-36, NLT)

Quitting too soon has one predictable result – FAILURE.

Don’t confuse persistence with stubbornness! A stubborn person keeps on doing the same thing, refusing to adapt and learn, thinking himself above advice. He perpetuates his failure! A persistent one studies his plans, prays fervently, listens well – and keeps trying, and trying, and trying – until he finds a way to do what he was born to do.

Hang in there, friend. Charles Spurgeon reminds us that “God is too good to be unkind, and He is too wise to be mistaken. And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart.”

Here is a word from the Word for today. “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3, NIV)

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